Hint: See synonyms for serious and problem.
Contexts
An issue or problem that is severe in nature
A complaint or grievance about something
Noun
▲
An issue or problem that is severe in nature
dilemma
predicament
difficulty
fix
problem
crisis
mess
pickle
quandary
conundrum
jam
perplexity
muddle
trouble
bind
corner
huge problem
double bind
serious problem
catch-22
difficult situation
large problem
major obstacle
serious complication
serious dilemma
sticky situation
tight corner
tight spot
tricky situation
no-win situation
serious predicament
large difficulty
spot of bother
impasse
quagmire
scrape
awkward situation
rabbit hole
embarrassment
vicious circle
strait
confusion
plight
hole
puzzle
mire
catch
spot
indecision
uncertainty
poser
bother
sticky wicket
swamp
difficult choice
rattrap
facer
conflict
box
bad news
sorry condition
hell
crash
mishap
extremity
setback
upheaval
trauma
adversity
chaos
issue
pass
entanglement
shock
misfortune
imbroglio
monstrosity
critical situation
distress
debacle
tinderbox
meltdown
hardship
train wreck
hassle
problematic situation
cataclysm
shambles
affliction
situation
big trouble
stress
fiasco
horror
desolation
tribulation
reverse
dire straits
hell on earth
disorder
reversal
tragedy
scourge
holocaust
deep water
apocalypse
unfortunate situation
emergency
bomb
woe
trial
shipwreck
misadventure
hot potato
blow
hot water
ruin
hang-up
worst-case scenario
turmoil
reversal of fortune
disarray
blight
pressure
failure
exigency
disorderliness
complication
car crash
tight situation
disaster
devastation
drama
calamity
urgency
catastrophe
havoc
double trouble
messiness
heavy blow
bust
whammy
pinch
sad state
stroke of ill luck
stew
hard times
depression
collapse
jackpot
headache
hitch
crunch
juncture
clutch
hindrance
snag
obstacle
kettle of fish
fine kettle of fish
worry
zero hour
squeeze
hurdle
drawback
impediment
question
circumstance
can of worms
head
pretty kettle of fish
knot
doubt
turning point
mix-up
flash point
botheration
ticklish situation
how-do-you-do
straits
obstruction
crossroad
vicissitude
condition
crossroads
case
uphill
asperity
deadlock
concern
conjuncture
Dunkirk
pitfall
desperate straits
dispute
complexity
stumbling block
disputed point
tangle
point at issue
comess
rigorUS
challenge
matter
boiling point
barrier
rigourUK
breaking point
affair
drag
hiccup
vexation
complicated situation
crunch time
spot of trouble
bit of bother
panic stations
rub
count
disagreement
fly in the ointment
spanner in the works
monkey wrench in the works
burden
state
bugbear
worriment
nuisance
soup
hot spot
annoyance
tension
pain
incident
inconvenience
quicksand
frustration
hazard
aggravation
struggle
exigence
bewilderment
disquiet
anxiety
hot seat
task
contingency
grievance
row
handicap
prob
dog’s breakfast
hard nut to crack
mare’s nest
to-do
hornets’ nest
trammel
lose-lose
cleft stick
urgent situation
crux
source of trouble
bad situation
puzzlement
thorn in the flesh
a jam
a scrape
a hole
a fix
with nowhere to turn
trouble spot
Dutch
matter of contention
question mark
uphill battle
point of contention
climacteric
upset
stuckness
discomfiture
damned if you do, damned if you don’t
circumstances
duress
jumble
controversy
involvement
brouhaha
enmeshment
embroilment
diffict situation
stalemate
spectacle
mass of problems
disadvantage
commotion
fuss
bar
crimp
troublesome situation
snarl
snafu
business
occasion
adventure
scene
disturbance
melodrama
botched situation
tight squeeze
difficult problem
embarrassing situation
embarrassing problem
between a rock and a hard place
thrill
fracas
sensation
excitement
millstone
cumber
indigence
destitution
Gordian knot
unpredictable situation
hornet’s nest
troublesome problem
snake pit
complex problem
Pandora’s box
farce
soap opera
hamper
vexed question
thorn in one’s side
gremlin
source of difficulty
state of perplexity
state of uncertainty
delicate situation
habit
downside
undertaking
nut
up a tree
pretty
traverse
negative aspect
inevitability
problems
a bad situation
bottleneck
a plight
a mess
a sorry condition
mystification
a predicament
a difficult situation
extreme suffering
glitch
teething trouble
irritation
unforeseen circumstance
a tight corner
a bind
tear-jerker
worst outcome
worst possible outcome
worst that could happen
worst case
worst comes to worst
unease
choke point
damned if one does and damned if one doesn’t
subject
oppression
grief
agitation
issues
position
misery
need
strife
unpleasantness
focus
enigma
stumper
interest
contention
subject matter
theme
argument
topic
point
exertion
painfulness
strain
barricade
discouragement
sweat
laborUS
hardness
labourUK
sorrow
rough go
pest
harassment
irritant
a stew
a spot
dead end
a pickle
peeve
exasperation
accident
pushing poop uphill
up poop creak without a paddle
irk
necessity
ruffle
danger
thorn
aggro
bore
nark
bane
pain in the neck
pain in the rear
pain in the backside
source of irritation
source of annoyance
fair cow
hair shirt
pain in the bum
unforeseen circumstances
misgiving
scepticismUK
reservation
disbelief
skepticismUS
apprehension
query
mistrust
qualm
scruple
suspicion
cynicism
misdoubt
unbelief
misbelief
niggle
distrust
questioning
second thought
more ❯
“Devizes has got a big problem here, and it is high time that the schools, the police, and the youth club all worked together to find a solution.”
Noun
▲
A complaint or grievance about something
grievance
complaint
grumble
grouse
gripe
whine
beef
grouch
whinge
objection
protest
wail
lament
kvetch
murmur
carp
protestation
plaint
cavil
criticism
quibble
umbrage
big stink
axe to grind
bone to pick
ax to grind
moan
fuss
whimper
yammer
holler
squawk
miserere
bleat
problem
kick
niggle
crow to pluck
rancorUS
case
rancourUK
charge
bone
howl
blast
stink
pique
bellyache
remonstrance
exception
demur
demurral
challenge
expostulation
disapproval
remonstration
question
whingeing
outcry
dissatisfaction
muttering
beefing
groan
opposition
demurrer
dissent
mutter
carping
griping
grouching
difficulty
dispute
disagreement
grousing
bellyaching
squeal
moans and groans
accusation
censure
disapprobation
doubt
scruple
displeasure
odium
dislike
disesteem
declination
demurring
discontent
hesitation
disinclination
revilement
reluctance
rejection
repugnancy
clamourUK
clamorUS
shrinking
unwillingness
railing
inveighing
fulmination
counter-argument
word
argument
complaining
whining
murmuring
whispering
grumbling
revolt
cry
annoyance
nitpicking
grudge
reproach
jeremiad
peep
twine
blackball
flak
riot
declaration
turmoil
tumult
campaign
knock
formal complaint
lamentation
moaning
whisper
mithering
sob
plaintive cry
mither
concern
hostility
bickering
worry
dissuasion
statement of opposition
uproar
indignation
tantrum
outburst
hysterics
howls of protest
taking exception
condemnation
pettifogging
yike
guff
rumble
representation
minor criticism
trivial objection
trivial complaint
statement of dissatisfaction
fault-finding
adverse comment
work-to-rule
reckoning
resentment
injustice
wrong
score
injury
turf war
bone of contention
more ❯
“I’ve got a big problem with you people, and now, you’re going to hear about it!”
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Sentences with the word big problem
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Nearby Words
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big red button
big red switch
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I’m trying to describe unemployment in the first sentence of an economics essay about South Africa. The sentence I’m thinking of is, «Unemployment is a … problem in South Africa,… «
I’m trying to think of a word to put in the first ellipsis, and it should have the connotation of the following words: widespread, malignant, intractable, pernicious, enduring, problematic, big, serious,… you get the idea. Can you think of the word I’m trying to find?
The sentence can be modified from the one I suggested; my aim is to have a powerful opening sentence.
asked May 11, 2018 at 11:41
ahornahorn
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27
There’s «pervasive»
(especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
Synonyms: prevalent, pervading, permeating, extensive, ubiquitous, omnipresent, universal, rife, widespread, general
Or «perennial», to focus on the permanent nature.
You could go with some anthropomorphism, and say «Unemployment has been an implacable foe of South Africa».
answered May 11, 2018 at 15:05
1
English is above all a verbalizing language (as opposed to, say, French, which is a nominalizing language). So, use an active verb aka action verb. In other words, we have strong verbs and they have strong nouns. This is a generalization that happens to be true. My opinion is: forget the verb to be and adjectives. Go for a good verb. These are some I thought of. I am sure others can come up with a plethora of other ones.
- Unemployment gnaws away at South Africa.
- Unemployment plagues South Africa.
- Unemployment undermines South African society.
- Unemployment burdens South Africa.
- Unemployment throttles South Africa.
Here’s a sample:
Read a good weather forecast and you’ll find the weather patterns described with such active verbs as “hammered,” “trounced,” “sliced,” and “eased.” Read a good sportscast and you’ll find gleeful discussions of how a losing team was “throttled,” “bashed,” “whipped,” or “humiliated.”
active verbs
answered May 11, 2018 at 15:14
LambieLambie
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I think you may describe South Africa unemployment as a plague:
If you describe something as a plague, you mean that it causes a great deal of trouble or harm.
- Inflation will remain a recurrent plague.
- Tim seems to have escaped the cynicism which is the absolute plague of our generation.
(Collins Dictionary)
Usage example from the Journal of Business and Management 2003
The mostly affected by the plague of unemployment in Nigeria today are young school leavers, particularly graduates from tertiary institutions, and the bulk of people retrenched from work (Ofido, 1999:33). The unemployment situation, which …
Other usage examples of “plague of unemployment” can be found here in Google Books
answered May 11, 2018 at 12:57
user 66974user 66974
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I suggest Monumental
Given the context, you want a word to describe a problem that is big, difficult to break down and dominates the problemscape.
In the context of your phrase, Monumental would be an entirely appropriate choice I think.
A variation on this might be Monolithic, Dominating/Dominant or perhaps Pervasive to emphasise that it’s a widespread problem at many levels of society.
answered May 11, 2018 at 15:29
Ruadhan2300Ruadhan2300
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1
Unemployment is a crippling problem in South Africa…
Unemployment cripples all subsequent endeavors in South Africa…
answered May 11, 2018 at 15:30
Unemployment is the scourge of the South African economy…
ODO:
scourge
NOUN
A person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering.‘the scourge of mass unemployment’
‘Unemployment, long the scourge of the Irish economy, remains very
low, at around 4.5%, despite the recent slowdown in economic growth.’
answered May 11, 2018 at 14:29
alwayslearningalwayslearning
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Unemployment is an endemic problem in South Africa,…
Merriam-Webster
1b : characteristic of or prevalent in a particular field, area, or environment ·problems endemic to translation
·the self-indulgence endemic in the film industry
I think this would be a good word choice as it evokes the idea of a more localized problem rather than the term epidemic which has connotations of a more widespread problem. You are focusing on South Africa in particular rather than on unemployment in general so use a word that focuses it.
Additionally, borrowing from it’s more common use in reference to disease helps mark it as something that requires an active treatment and will not correct itself on its own.
You could also combine it with systemic for a more powerful sentence.
Endemic unemployement is a systemic problem in South Africa
Merriam-Webster:
systemic: of, relating to, or common to a system
answered May 11, 2018 at 15:55
5
I’d suggest chronic.
adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A chronic situation or problem is very severe and unpleasant.
One cause of the artist’s suicide seems to have been chronic poverty.
There is a chronic shortage of patrol cars in this police district.
source:Collins Dictionary,
answered May 11, 2018 at 16:14
6
How about ‘intractable’ ?
Unusual, dramatic, determinant.
Meaning includes hard to control or deal with.
«intractable economic problems»
synonyms: unmanageable, uncontrollable, ungovernable, out of control, out of hand, impossible to cope with;
answered May 11, 2018 at 12:20
1
Unemployment strangles South Africa!
Strangle :(verb) (Cambridge Dictionary)
to stop something from developing.
There is a great deal of fear that the new restrictions might strangle the country’s economy.
answered May 11, 2018 at 17:28
2
You could, very easily, use the word conundrum to fit your needs.
an intricate and difficult problem
He is faced with the conundrum of trying to find a job without having experience.
Usage in your sentence would be as follows:
Unemployment is a conundrum in South Africa,…
I might even re-write the sentence as such:
Unemployment in South Africa is quite the conundrum…
answered May 11, 2018 at 16:44
gmileygmiley
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1
Predicament. The fact that you cannot solve it on your own is what makes it a predicament, rather than just a problem.
However, if it’s a problem that cannot be solved in the normal ways, and you are about to solve it via unconventional methods, then it’s a Gordian knot.
answered May 11, 2018 at 16:44
5
The simplest word possible would be the adjective huge as it’s also used to convey the idea of being of great importance or seriousness:
Unemployment is a huge problem in South Africa…
answered May 12, 2018 at 11:36
Michael RybkinMichael Rybkin
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As is:
Your example: Unemployment is a … problem in South Africa.
Suggested: The big imbroglio in South Africa: unemployment!
imbroglio — TFD
A difficult or intricate situation; an entanglement. A confused
or complicated disagreement. A confused or perplexing political or interpersonal situation.
An unwanted, difficult, and confusing situation, full of trouble and problems
As in:
A society that keeps on barking at the industry and keeps
reaping benefits out of a bad education system also finds it
convenient to blame the Govt. for the imbroglio called
unemployment. lindedin“The Unemployment Imbroglio,” in “The Legislative Ledger,” LCS,
2/4/70. SF2,news cols. 15. AWB, WB, 2/70; WSLC, “Labor Looks at the
41st Session of the … google books
answered May 11, 2018 at 12:31
lbflbf
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Based on the short question which might bring people here or serve as a dupe target, I’d suggest wicked, even though other answers’ options might be a better fit for the very specific problem noted in the question details.
Wicked problems are big and insurmountable, and so is even trying to specifically define the problem and its boundaries. Other specific characteristics of «wicked problems,» for precise use of the term (better not to overuse it!), can be found in a famous paper:
Rittel, Horst W. J., and Melvin M. Webber. “Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning.” Policy Sciences 4 (1973): 155–69.
Today, climate change is often given as the canonical example of a wicked problem.
answered May 13, 2018 at 1:19
WBTWBT
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What is another word for big problem?
| huge problem | large difficulty |
|---|---|
| large problem | major obstacle |
| serious complication | serious dilemma |
| serious predicament | serious problem |
Hereof, is a big deal synonym?
Big—deal Synonyms — WordHippo Thesaurus.
What is another word for big—deal?
| substantial | considerable |
|---|---|
| heavy | heavyweight |
| massive | much |
| principal | serious |
| useful | valuable |
Secondly, what can I use instead of so?
accordingly
- appropriately.
- as a consequence.
- as a result.
- consequently.
- correspondingly.
- duly.
- equally.
- ergo.
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Synonyms for Big problem. 2016. Accessed April 13, 2023. https://thesaurus.plus/synonyms/big_problem.
What is another word for problem?
| hindrance | dilemma |
|---|---|
| issue | trouble |
| headache | obstacle |
| setback | adversity |
| pickle | predicament |
What is opposite word of solve?
Opposite of to find an answer or solution to a problem or question. confound. complicate. confuse. obfuscate.
How do you say there is a problem?
Synonyms for There is a problem
- have a problem.
- we have a problem.
- there was a problem.
- presents a problem.
- there is one problem.
- has a problem.
- poses a problem.
- we got a problem.
Is there any issues or are there any issues?
So, would “Is there any problem” sound as natural as “are there any problems?”. No, they do not have the same meaning. The best/most natural phrase is “are there any problems?” This is a fairly neutral way to ask if something is wrong, or if everything is OK.
What can I use instead of in order to?
What is another word for in order to?
| to | so as to |
|---|---|
| as a means to | for the purpose of |
| that one may | that it would be possible to |
| with the aim of | in order to achieve |
| so as to achieve | for |
What is the definition of should?
1 : ought to They should be here soon. 2 : happen to If you should see them, say hello for me. 3 —used as a more polite or less assured form of shall Should I turn the light out?
What does it mean if something is not mandatory?
adjective. Not required by law or mandate; voluntary. ‘the company has a non-mandatory pension scheme’ More example sentences.
How do you use the word mandatory?
Mandatory sentence example
- We’re what I’d call mandatory friends.
- The French government now asked to be allowed to march into Spain, as Austria had marched into Naples, as the mandatory of the powers, for the purpose of putting a stop to a state of things perilous alike to herself and to all Europe.